So let's get this straight about tonight's match:
1. The Dynamo have had troubles on defense, and the two brightest spots (ERob and Onstad) are out injured. BoBo is out due to yellow card accumulation, so we will have to start our backup centerback and a non-centerback at centerback. And they'll be in front of a new goalkeeper who may be a bit shaky.
2. The midfield has a banged up Mullan who hasn't played a full match in forever, a banged up Davis who is so banged up he can't even start, and then Holden who is so banged up he didn't even make the trip. We'll have the still green Ashe on the left and maybe the rookie Cameron on the right.
3. The forwards haven't gelled yet.
4. Saprissa is the best of Costa Rica. They've won this tourney before. They are so hungry for victory tonight that they rested their players in their league match this past weekend. So they are rested and hungry. And playing at home. And with their best midfielder who missed the first match versus the Dynamo.
5. The venue is Saprissa Stadium near San José, and is renown as an unsettling place for visitors. It has artificial turf, and is far, far removed from the comforts of Robertson...or of the USA for that matter.
No problem. We have Barrett and Waibel in the back, and Mulrooney and Ianni are nothing to sneeze at. Clark will be at his D-Mid position and help snuff out attacks. Mullan will likely start and will instill a lot of energy into the attack, and DeRo will be in his usual spot. Ashe has his speed and Ching has an aerial game that is enhanced by one of Saprissa's weakness. Caraccio is beginning to fit into the system and will feel like he's at home in Argentina when the crowd gets rowdy.
No problem. This is where the stuff of legends is made.
Media Roundup
MLS preview is here.
More MLS coverage.
Preview from The Chronicle. And some more Notes.
Glenn Davis' observations and commentary.
ESPN talks about stacked decks.
Fox Sports (Fox Soccer) is carrying the game tonight, but has no articles or coverage of any kind on their website.
Go Dynamo!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Its grim at best. Everthing seems to be going against them for this match. I don't think they make it through, but knowing them they'll keep it close and be competitive and play a tight match.
Its that Osaka game that makes me worry. If it can happen once it can happen again.
Post a Comment